The first reports of the blaze in the timber structure at the southern end of the main street, Eagle Street, were made to fire authorities at around 8.15pm on Thursday.

Longreach police inspector, Mark Henderson, said the whole structure had been completely gutted by the fire, and it would take until well into the evening before fire authorities had everything damped down safely.

He said no-one had been injured by the fire and no adjoining property had been damaged.

Another view of the blaze at the Lyceum Hotel in Longreach on Thursday night.

Mr Henderson said the hotel had been closed for a number of months and he was led to believe it was for sale.

“Fire investigators and scientific personnel from Brisbane will be coming out to investigate the circumstances,” he said. “If any witnesses have information to share, they can contact Policelink or the Longreach CIB.”